Miniature Symphonies

The term “symphony” automatically evokes grandiosity in all aspects – a large-scale orchestra, great compositional complexity and considerable playing time. Orlando Cela and his Lowell Chamber Orchestra turn this idea on its head with MINIATURE SYMPHONIES, an enticing selection of short and snappy sinfoniettas for chamber orchestra.

Pivoted around a complete recording of Darius Milhaud’s five charming, highly-aesthetic chamber symphonies (composed in France between 1917 and 1922), MINIATURE SYMPHONIES also showcases newly-commissioned companion works by a diverse range of contemporary composers: Brittney Benton, Kevin Scott, Quinn Mason, and Yoko Nakatani. Together, these pieces intertwine splendidly: Milhaud’s symphonies effortlessly condense greatness into a minute form, and his modern successors prove that brevity is indeed the soul of wit.

Track List

• Petite Symphonie de Chambre Contemporaine (aprés Milhaud) by Quinn Mason
  
  • I. Overture
  • II. Nocturne
  • III. Etude
• Symphonie de chambre No. 4, Op. 74 by Darius Milhaud
  
  • I. Overture
  • II. Choral
  • III. Étude
• The Sentinel by Brittany Benton
  
  • I. Looming
  • II. Unyielding
  • III. Fading
• Symphonie de chambre No.1, Op. 43 “Le Printemps” by Darius Milhaud
  
  • I. Allant
  • II. Chantant
  • III. Et vif!
• La Giclée by Yoko Nakatani
• Symphonie de chambre No. 3, Op. 71 “Sérénade” by Darius Milhaud
  
  • I. Vivement
  • II. Calme
  • III. Rondement
• Symphonie de chambre No. 5, Op. 75 by Darius Milhaud
  
  • I. Rude
  • II. Lent
  • III. Violent
• second little symphony by Kevin Scott
  
  • I. Prelude
  • II. Chorale
  • III. Toccata
• Symphonie de chambre No. 2, Op. 49 “Pastorale" by Darius Milhaud
  
  • I. Joyeux
  • II. Calme
  • III. Joyeux